Halifax JN887 at Haverah Park, Harrogate.
During the morning of 14th March 1944 this 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft took off from Marston Moor airfield so the crew could undertake an air test combined with some local flying. While flying at 2,000 feet the propeller on the starboard inner engine flew off and struck the fuselage injuring the flight engineer. A short time later the starboard outer engine then failed and the propeller could not be feathered. The aircraft began to loose height so a forced landing was made at 10.15hrs in Haverah Park, west of Harrogate with the undercarriage up. The aircraft then caught fire on the ground and was badly damaged. Two other members of the crew were injured in the landing. Both Australians were training with 1652 H.C.U. at the time and were later posted to 158 Squadron.
Pilot (instructor) - F/O Frank Williams DFM RAFVR (147967). Injured.
Pilot - F/Sgt Keith Victor Browne RAAF (422129). Injured.
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Philip Robert Patterson RAAF (418706).
Flight Engineer (instructor) - P/O Joseph Clifford Harris-Ward DFC RAF (53998). Seriously injured.